President's Address

I took on the role of President of the Japan Accreditation Council for Medical Education at the third preparatory committee of the Council, held on July 13, 2015. I was involved in medical education for many years, during my tenure as President of Jichi Medical University. I feel extremely honored (and somewhat anxious) when I consider the great responsibilities I have accepted as the first President of the Japan Accreditation Council for Medical Education.

Important turning points in the history of medical education in Japan include the establishment of the Japan Society for Medical Education (1969), the inauguration of the Japan Medical Education Foundation (1979), and the establishment of the Model Core Curriculum for Medical Education by the Medical Education Division, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (the then Ministry of Education) (2001), and the inauguration of the Common Achievement Tests Organization (2002). The Japan Accreditation Council for Medical Education (JACME) was established in response to a 2010 notification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)—the organization that authorizes foreign medical graduates to undertake clinical training in the United States. The ECFMG announced that, after 2023, applications would only be accepted from graduates of medical schools accredited in accordance with global standards.” I believe that the establishment of JACME is the most groundbreaking event in the history of medical education in Japan. I am confident that JACME will evaluate Japanese medical schools very carefully and strictly, in accordance with the global accreditation guidelines and standards approved by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

The inauguration of JACME, established by the Association of Japan Medical Colleges, is an important and meaningful event. I believe this is an ideal opportunity to elevate medical education in Japan to world-class levels, and I will dedicate all of my strength to improving medical education in Japan. To conclude, I sincerely hope that all Japanese medical schools and their faculties will join me in supporting JACME to achieve this goal.